Water closet having a bowl and a wash means

ABSTRACT

A self-cleaning water closet wherein either the bowl or a specially provided cabinet-type enclosure is pivotally movable between a first non-cleaning position and a second cleaning position. When in the cleaning position, the cabinet-type enclosure sealably encloses at least a portion of the bowl before washing begins.

United States Patent 1191 l 1,111 3,919,726

GOdWlll'l et al. y [45] No 18, 1975 [5 WATER CLOSET HAVING A BOWL AND A 2,834,026 5/1958 Kronish 4/10 WASH MEANS 3,166,767 l/1965 Jewell et a1. 7 3,281,868 11/1966 McGouirk [75] Inventors: Stanley J. Godwin, Schenectady; 3,43 7 4 4/1969 c l nna Richard M. Lund, Scotia, both of 3,720,961 3/ 1973 Garvey N.Y. 7 3,829,906 8/1974 McPhee 3,869,732 3/1975 Garvey 4/1 [73] Assignee: General Electric Company,

Louisville, Ky.

[22] Filed: Dec.4,1974 [21] Appl. No.: 529,536

Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 4/10; 4/ 1; 4/DlG. 2 A self-cleaning water closet wherein either the bowl or [51] Int. Cl. E03D l/00; EO3D 3/00; E03D 5/00 a specially provided cabinet-type enclosure is pivotally [58] Fieldof Search 4/1, 10, D16. 2, 73, 166, movable between a first non-cleaning position and a 4/ 167, 168, 263, 76, 169, 170, 89 second cleaning position. When in the cleaning position, the cabinet-type enclosure sealably encloses at [56] References Cited least a portion of the bowl before washing begins.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,725,575 12/1955 Colonna ..4/76 sclalmsgnrawmg gums BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION From time to time, the bowl of a conventionalwater .closet must be cleaned in order to maintain it in 'a hygienically desirable condition. The cleaning operation is an undesirable task when performed manually.

In order to avoid this unpleasant task, the prior art suggests apparatus such as that set forth in US. Pat.

No. 3,381,312-Whitla. This apparatus functioned to reduce the manual labor required in cleaning the toilet bowl but did not' possess the requisite capability to .clean it to the preferred high level of sanitation. More specifically, the Whitla apparatusdid not provide any means for cleaning'the outside and lip portions of the bowl. Further, the Whitla apparatus made no provision,

for the possibility that water would escape the spray mechanism of the cleaning'apparatus and splash onto adjacent areas in the bathroom.

In a similar vein; US. Pat. .No. 3,829,906-McPhee shows an arrangement for flushing and cleaning a-bedpan inside a hospital patient care'unit; Such an arrangement demonstrates a long-felt need for a high level of cleanliness for toilet facilities. Although the McPhee apparatus is suggestiveof the desirability of a high level SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention includes a self-cleaning water closet which operates to flush and clean the bowl on both the inside, and, at least the lip area on the outside, to a level of cleanliness not readily obtainable by hand washing. The water closet provides for rotation of either the bowl or a cabinet-type cleaning enclosure so that the bowl is enclosed during the cleaning operation. More specifically, the invention includes a water closed comprising: a base; a bowl attached to the base in fluid-flow communication with a sewer; a cabinet-type enclosure mounted in enclosing relationship to the bowl and dimensioned to receive the bowl; a plurality of spray means located within the cabinet-type enclosure, the spray means being adapted to distribute a washing liquid within the enclosure; water-handling means for supplying water to the spray means and for flushing of the water closet; and control means to effect flushing and cleaning of the water closet; the water closet being further defined in that at least one of the bowl or the cabinet-type enclosure is pivotally movable between a first DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic partially sectioned view of the water closet of this invention showing the bowl ready for use;

2 FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic partially sectioned view of the water closet of this invention showing the bowl in cleaning position; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic partially sectioned view of another embodiment of the water closet of this invention showing it in the cleaning position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the Figures, a toilet or water closet 10 has a water-handling means 11 for supplying water to the'wat er closet. This water-handling means comprises, in general, a water inlet pipe, asolenoid valve attached thereto and an outlet conduit for deliverance of water to the bowl. The water-handling means also includes a pump and motor and a pump discharge conduit for supplyingwater to a bowl spray means. The bowl includes conduit12 circumscribing its outer edge. Bowl 14 has openings 16 in flow-through relationship to conduit 12 for the passage of water from conduit 12 into bowl 14 during flushing of the water closet 10. Control means 15 is operably associated with the solenoid valve 5 for conventional flushing, as is known in the art.

In addition, the bowl 14 has a top opening 18 and a drain opening 20. The drain opening 20 is connected viaa drain trap 22 for passing water and waste material from the bowl 14 into a sewer. The drain trap 22 may be of U-shaped configuration for forming a water block to prevent gases from passing in a reverse direction from the sewer line 14; alternatively, the trap may be a water pool type of trap as shown in FIG. 3. The drain trap 22, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a pivotal con- ,nection 28 to the sewer line 24. Such an arrangement allowsrotatable movement of the bowl 14 upwardly to be received in cabinet-type enclosure 25 for cleaning.

Thecontrol means is designated generally by numeral l5 and includes the conventional flushing capability as is known in the art. Such flushing is initiated by operating button 38.

- 'The water closet of this invention further includes spray means 26 which, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a rotatable spray arm 40. Spray means 26 is operably connected to water supply line 42. The spray arm 40 in FIGS. 1 and 2 has openings or nozzles 46 which are directed tangentially relative to the rotatable connection 48 thereof, for rotation of the spray arm in response to the discharge of water therethrough. As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzles 46 are also oriented relative to the bowl 14 such that the water discharged from the nozzles 46 during the cleaning operation impinge upon and are directed along the inner surface 50 of the bowl.

Spray means 26 includes nozzles 47 located within enclosure 25 in position to cleanse the bowl 14 during the cleaning operation. Timer control means 52 and a latch mechanism 54 of the wash means 26 are provided and operate to pass water from lines 42 at only the second position of the water closet 10.

As shown, the wash means 26 includes a pump 56 to provide a high pressure water flow through the spray means 26, thereby providing a water-scouring action to the bowl 14. Further, a cleaning material dispenser 58 can be operably associated with the spray means 26 for automatically discharging a volume of soap or cleaning material into the wash enclosure in response to actuation by control means 15. A heating means 60 can also be provided for increasing the temperature within the enclosure for drying the bowl and increasing the sterilizing capabilities of the cleaning operation.

an automatic dishwasher. Example elements can be found in US. Pat. Nos. 3,811,600; 3,798,465; 3,771,725; 3,555,242; and 3,490,486.

In the operation of the apparatus of this invention, the water closet is used in a normal fashion until it is desired to automatically clean the bowl 14. Then, control means is activated to cause either the bowl 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2) or the cabinet type enclosure (FIG. 3) to be pivotally rotated, thereby providing for the bowl to be received therewithin. Doors 29 are then closed in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. Next, latch mechanism 54 operates to insure that the enclosure remains sealed during the cleaning cycle. Pump 56 then causes washing liquid to be directed onto the bowl from the nozzles 47 and from the spray arm in FIGS. 1 and 2. The washing liquid is directed against and along the bowls surface 54 for a preselected period of time, after which a rinse is initiated, followed by a drying period.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, hot water is mixed with soap or cleaning material from the dispenser 58 during spraying of the hot water against and along the bowl 14 for a preselected period, cold water is thereafter sprayed against and along thebowl 14 for a preselected period, and the enclosure is thereafter heated to dry and sanitize the bowl.

It should be understood that the particular swivel and sealing connection of the bowl and the enclosure can be different than as herein described without departing from this invention. It is only necessary that at least one of the bowl 14 or enclosure 25 more relative to the other, thereby defining first and second positions and that the drain trap remain sealed during movement of the elements for preventing the escape of fluids therefrom and maintaining the water block.

What is claimed is:

1. A water closet comprising:

a base;

a bowl attached to said base in fluid-flow communication with a sewer;

' a cabinet-type enclosure mounted in enclosing relationship to saidbowl and dimensioned to receive said bowl;

' a plurality of spray means located within said cabinet-type enclosure, said spray means being adapted to distribute a washing liquid within said enclosure; water-handling means for supplying water to said spray means and for flushing of said water closet;

and control means to effect flushing and cleaning of said water closet; said water closet being further defined in that at least one of said bowl or said cabinet-type enclosure is Y pivotally movable between a first position in which the bowl is ready for use and a second position in which the bowl is received within said cabin'ettype enclosure in liquid-tight fashion for cleaning thereof. 1 v I 2. A water closet, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bowl is movable upwardly from the first to the second position.

3. A water closet, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control means includes an interlock to allow for passing water to the spray means only when the water closet is in the second position.

4. A water closet, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said spray means includes a rotatable spray arm.

5. A water closet, as set forth in claim 1, including a cleaning material dispenser adapted for receiving cleaning material and dispensing said cleaning material into said enclosure.

6. A water closet, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said bowl is connected to the sewer by a discharge line and a drain trap, said drain trap being connected at one end to the discharge line and at the other end to a discharge opening of the bowl, at least one of said connections being a swivel-type connection for providing movement between the first and second positions.-

7. A water closet, as set forth in claim 1, including heating means actuated by said control means for drying and sterilizing said bowl 8. A water closet, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the enclosure includes heating means and control means for controllably washing, rinsing and drying said how]. 

1. A water closet comprising: a base; a bowl attached to said base in fluid-flow communication with a sewer; a cabinet-type enclosure mounted in enclosing relationship to said bowl and dimensioned to receive said bowl; a plurality of spray means located within said cabinet-type enclosure, said spray means being adapted to distribute a washing liquid within said enclosure; water-handling means for supplying water to said spray means and for flushing of said water closet; and control means to effect flushing and cleaning of said water closet; said water closet being further defined in that at least one of said bowl or said cabinet-type enclosure is pivotally movable between a first position in which the bowl is ready for use and a second position in which the bowl is received within said cabinet-type enclosure in liquid-tight fashion for cleaning thereof.
 2. A water closet, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bowl is movable upwardly from the first to the second position.
 3. A water closet, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control means includes an interlock to allow for passing water to the spray means only when the water closet is in the second position.
 4. A water closet, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said spray means includes a rotatable spray arm.
 5. A water closet, as set forth in claim 1, including a cleaning material dispenser adapted for receiving cleaning material and dispensing said cleaning material into said enclosure.
 6. A water closet, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said bowl is connected to the sewer by a discharge line and a drain trap, said drain trap being connected at one end to the discharge line and at the other end to a discharge opening of the bowl, at least one of said connections being a swivel-type connection for providing movement between the first and second positions.
 7. A water closet, as set forth in claim 1, including heating means actuated by said control means for drying and sterilizing said bowl
 8. A water closet, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the enclosure includes heating means and control means for controllably washing, rinsing and drying said bowl. 